Politics & Government

No! The Haddam Land Swap Has Not Happened

Letter from Rob Smith, CPPL Executive Director.

 

Dear CT Environmental Leaders, 

In answer to the question on many folks lips: No, the Haddam Land Swap has not yet happened!

During the last year, there can be no doubt that one of the most important 
threats to Connecticut's open spaces and the many organizations that help 
protect them, is the so-called Haddam Land Swap.  The long term ramifications to achieving the goal of 21% of the State being conserved open space is yet to be seen.

The precedent setting legislation, that was passed in the legislature last June 
and which was signed into law last July by the governor, casts into doubt 
the long-held certainty that lands purchased by the state for open space (using 
RNHT funds) would not become vulnerable to commercial development.  In this 
case, a 17.4 acre parcel of the Clark Creek Wildlife Management Area, which 
overlooks the Connecticut River and adjoins two state parks, is proposed to be 
traded for a failed subdivision further north in Haddam and a mile from the 
river.  This trade has a singular goal.  It was crafted to allow a single 
business, the River House banquet facility, the right to develop the 17.4 acres, 
in order to enhance their profitability.

Recently, Citizens for the Protection of Public Land (CPPL) received information 
that the appraisals of the two properties have revealed a significant difference 
in value between them.  Not surprisingly, the 17.4 special acres overlooking the 

River is worth one million dollars more that the wooded acreage that has 
problematic access.  The DEEP will not release the information citing FOIA 
exemptions.  CPPL argues that those exemptions should not apply, as the only 
negotiations are between the DEEP and the River House LLC.  As such, any 
discussions or negotiations and the appraisals should be open to the public.

CPPL is asking each environmental leader and their affiliated group members to 
sign and forward the following linked "e petition".  
http://www.change.org/petitions/rep-philip-miller-stop-the-haddam-land-swap-make-the-deep-reveal-the-land-appraisals 

There has been the appearance of a backroom deal over this swap for the past 
three years. The process should be "day-lighted" for all to see. The 
environmental and conservation community can make this happen by letting the Governor and important members of the legislature know that you are against the SWAP.

For more information about this issue, please visit CPPL's website:  
www.landswap.org.

The members of CPPL thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and 
for the two minutes that are needed to fill out the petition.

Sincerely, 
Robert (Rob) R. Smith
Executive Director - CPPL 


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